An updated version of the FC-2, the Fairchild Model 71 was a utility aircraft with a speciality of aerial survey. Modest numbers of this high-wing monoplane were produced between 1928 and 1930, mostly for civilian customers operating in the bush, and a factory was established in Canada to supply Model 71s to Canadian customers. The basic Model 71 was superseded by the Model 71A which introduced a few degrees of sweepback to the wings. An unusual feature of the type was the ability to fold its wings for hangarage.

One Model 71 (29-325) was acquired for evaluation as a light transport by the Army Air Corps under the designation XC-8, but was later modified for photographic work and redesignated XF-1, the first of a new reconnaissance category. Eight more service trials aircraft (30-388/30-395) were ordered as YF-1s, followed by six F-1As (31-463/31-468), the latter based on the Model 71A. Despite remaining on aerial survey work, the XF-1 and YF-1s were subsequently redesignated C-8, while the six F-1As became C-8As.

In 1942, three civilian Model 71s (42-78032, 42-88617, 42-88618) were impressed by the Army under the designation UC-96. These were also assigned a photo-survey role and at the time were the oldest aircraft in the USAAF inventory, having been built in 1929.